THE DAILY PROVINCE, VANCOUVER, BRITISH
COLUMBIA DECEMBER 21, 1908

TEJA SINGH ASPIRES TO BE MOSES
AMONG THE SIKHS
------------------Plans to Lead Ten Thousand of Them Into Land of
Cotton.
------------WILL NOT VIOLATE LAWS
------------------Scheme Aided by California Man Who Is Now in
Vancouver.
------------------Ten thousand Sikhs from Northern India are to be located on the
plantations of the southern states, especially Louisiana, where labor
conditions are said to be very favorable. This is the ambitious project Teja
Singh, the leader of the local East Indian colony, plans to carry out during the
coming year. Although the details are withheld for the present, Teja Singh
declares that the letter and spirit of the contract labor law prohibiting the
importation of aliens under contract into the United States will not be
violated.
He is receiving the co-operation of Mr. T. C. Crawford of 2028 Summit
avenue, Pasadena, Cal., who registered from London, England, at the Hotel
Vancouver last Monday. Mr. Crawford endeavored to make it quite clear that
his motives in the matter are purely altruistic and disinterested. He has had
numerous conferences with the Sikh leader since his arrival in Vancouver.
Not Revolutionist.

THE DAILY PROVINCE, VANCOUVER, BRITISH
COLUMBIA DECEMBER 21, 1908
Mr. Crawford is a middle-aged man of quite distinguished appearance.
He has a florid complexion, clear piercing eyes and grey hair and moustache.
Until yesterday his mission was apparently shrouded in mystery. Mr.
Crawford did not mingle with the other guests, and maintained an
impenetrable reserve.
When interviewed by the Province he laughted(Sic) very heartily at the
i8dea that he was in some way connected with the revolutionary movement in
India. His association with Teja Singh was readily explained. They had
become acquainted in London, England. He did not hesitate to speak
enthusiastically about the high-mindedness of his friend. Of course, he
intended to do all in his power to assist the movement for establishing Sikh
olonies(Sic) in the southern states, especially Louisiana. There the field for
good labor was almost illimitable. Negroes are so lazy that they give no
satisfaction, and are being rapidly displaced by Italian(?) immigrants. He
sympathized with the keen struggle for existence among the millions in India,
and regarded the Sikhs as ideally adapted for work on the rice and sugar
plantations.
Mr. Crawford described himself as a mining promoter, operator and
investor. His associates are American and English capitalists. He is interested
in Alaska and California. His impressions of British Columbia are of the most
favorable character, and it is not improbable that he may extend his hold of
operations here. Mr. Crawford controls capital; all he requires is a
meritorious mining proposition. In the York district, northwest of Nome, a
company with which he is identified has spent considerable operating a placer
tin property. Costs of extraction were found to be expensive, but it is hoped
that the ledge itself will be discovered after further exploration. American and
French capital is(?) interested with him in a freemilling(Sic) gold proposition
that is now being developed near Jacksonville, California.
To Establish Stores.
“The Sikh is of an adventurous nature. With proper direction and
encouragement he is not afraid to venture into strange lands to better his

THE DAILY PROVINCE, VANCOUVER, BRITISH
COLUMBIA DECEMBER 21, 1908
condition,” said Teja Singh in admitting that he had originated and was
promoting the project for transplanting thousands of his countrymen to the
salubrious climate of Louisiana. He was insistent that this enterprise, inspired
with the object of bettering their welfare, would not conflict with the United
States immigration laws. The Sikhs are an agricultural people and it is
believed they will solve a labor problem that has bothered southern planters
for years.
Teja Singh is enthusiastic about the possibilities of his new mining and
trust company. A general brokerage busness(Sic) will be transacted and
stores for the sale of East Indian food as well as Oriental novelties will be
established in British Columbia. The company is also authorized to sell shares
in other companies. Already East Indians, under his advice, have made
investments in a California mining proposition.